First Cornish Stock Doves ringed in 25 years

Yesterday we had a great CES morning at Gunwalloe, with 81 birds caught easily beating just 30 on the same visit last year! Good numbers of juvenile Sedge and Reed Warblers made up most of the catch, with three more very juvenile Stonechats new for some bisitonv ringers from up country. Amusement (for some) came in nearly losing our newest C-permit holder to the marsh...

We then mopped up some remaining Barn Owls, which have been about six weeks late this summer. Many birds have also given it a miss this year, presumably in too poor condition to breed, including this Newquay pair.

Other sites checked included an abandoned clutch of three eggs, one unused for the first time in 17 years and broods of just one or two. The highlight in Cornish terms though, was an adult Stock Dove with two big chicks - the first Stock Doves to be ringed in the county since 1988! In fact, the three birds doubled the total number ringed in the county since the 1970s!